Elope to Cairngorms National Park: Cairngorms Elopement Wedding Planning Guide
Elevate your elopement experience with lanterns and create TIMELESS MEMORIES with your loved one.
More couples are choosing to elope together, as opposed to having large weddings. Why?! No big expectations or stress, a huge focus on you and your partner celebrating your love together and the option to elope anywhere in the world together! Scotland is one of the most beautiful you can elope to - and no… we’re not biassed because we do elopement photography in Scotland!
With unmatched beauty, deep and interesting history, incredible people and hospitality and food that will make your mouth water, we've got a range of guides that will help you pick where to elope. But for today, let’s focus on all the best places that can accommodate your elopement ceremony and be your base for exploring in and around the Cairngorms.
Cairngorms National Park is one of the UK’s largest natural parks in the Scottish Highlands and is well renowned for its dramatic yet beautiful scenery and oneness with nature - there’s so much to see and do and some incredible spots to have your elopement.
Best Elopement Spots in The Cairngorms:
An Lochan Uaine
Turquoise waters, two small beaches, surrounded by towering pine trees and mountains. If you’re wanting the beauty of a beach wedding but still revealing in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands then this is the one for you, the location is super easy to get to and afterwards you can continue the adventure exploring and walking through the forest.
Loch An Eilein
Loch an Eilein has a little island castle ruin in the middle of the lake and stunning surroundings of forest and hill that has seen humans pass by for centuries. It’s a beautiful spot to elope with its tranquil waters stretching far and wide, reflecting the forest that towers above boasting some of the most beautiful views in the highlands.
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Have you always loved the thought of an autumnal wedding with the golden yellows, browns and oranges in full swing, the air crisp and that slight feeling of summer just about lingering. Well there’s no place better than Caigellachie in the autumn. Silver birch trees, glades, lochs and peaks surround the woodland probing you to explore as much as you can and see all its beauty.
Uath Lochans
One of the Cairngorms best-kept secrets, this cluster of lochs is nestled in a beautiful forest and has a sense of magic in the air. It’s surrounded by Pine Trees and boasts some of the prettiest woodlands in the Cairngorms. The Lochs were formed 10,000 years ago after the ice retreated and left behind the beautiful shimmering pools. Now it’s inhabited by a rainbow of wildflowers, dragonflies and a sense of peace and tranquillity.
Ben Macdui
Do you and your partner fancy yourself as hikers? Why not hike Britain's second-highest mountain in Scotland and top it all off with an “I do”? At the summit you have the luxury of some unparalleled views of the Cairngorm mountains and you might even spot some wildlife like the Golden Eagle’s or Snow Buntings.
Linn O’ Dee
Do as the royals do and head to Linn O’ Dee. Queen Victoria used to picnic here. This narrow gorge was formed by the river Dee and is home to some of the most beautiful walking trails, waterfalls and rocky pools. There’s a gothic bridge where you can get some striking elopement photos. This one is recommended in the summertime as it can get incredibly cold - plus this is the perfect time to picnic! But if you are bracing the colder months, use it as a chance to sport some beautiful winter gear and take a flask of your favourite hot beverage.
Best Wedding Venues in the Cairngorms:
You might be eloping, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a wedding reception at a venue still after your elopement ceremony. Or you may even want to have an elopement wedding at one of these venues, these are some of the finest venues in the Cairngorms.
Glen Cova: Glen Cova is a small country hotel situated at the foot of Glen Doll in the Cairngorm National Park. Not only do they offer good views but they offer the best hospitality and dining. Glen Cova offers a whole range of packages from Intimate Weddings such as a picnic in the hills of Corrie Fee or a ceremony in the nearby kirk with a small celebration at the hotel. Or you can have a larger wedding with lots of guests, they have something to suit everyone.
Glentruim Castle & Cottages: Built as a family home in the early 1840’s by Major Euan Macpherson, Glentruim Castle & Cottages retain their traditional character, surrounded by the Cairngorm National Park. This venue gives you a taste of authentic Highland Estate Living at it’s finest. It’s a brilliant wedding venue. The Walled Garden in the grounds of Glentruim, where we can host intimate ceremonies for up to 80 guests. Alternatively, there is a selection of picturesque churches nearby, of all denominations.
Places to Stay
You’ll need a place to stay between all the adventure, here’s some great hotels and self catering locations for you…
Self Catering:
Loch An Eilein Cottage: This romantic luxury 19th cottage overlooks the beautiful Loch An Eilein and will sleep you and your partner - perfect for those eloping as just a pair and that need a home away from home to stay. Having been designed by London based Interior Designer Fanny Ward this little gem is a cocoon of warmth with burning stoves, underfloor heating and a lush king sized bed. You can bring a furry friend as well!
The Hollies Highland Lodges - Cairngorm Cottage: In need of a cottage for you and your guests to stay? This cottage is a hidden gem that accommodates up to six guests and is the perfect base for exploring the cairngorms and all the things it has to offer. With a fully fitted kitchen, double oven, microwave, dishwasher and breakfast bar you can feast until your heart's content. In addition you have a dining room, a large lounge with a log stove, a range of bedrooms and a private garden with a hot tub with views across Muckrach Castle.
Balnacraig Lodge: Perfect if you’re wanting to elope at Uath Lochans this luxury accomodation is the ultimate location for a relaxing and romantic break. With all the amenities you need this lodge is perfect for creating that home away from home feel and has a garden with a hot tub for you to enjoy and watch the night sky.
Hotels:
Craigellachie Lodge: Craigellachie Lodge has five guest rooms all with en-suite bathrooms and are decorated to the highest standard to make you feel right at home. You have egyptian cotton bed linen with feather down pillows and duvets, fluffy bath towels, the finest scottish soap in the bathroom and a professional GHD hair dryer. The rooms have different viewpoints so go and search for your favourite.
The Fife Arms: Built in the 19th century, The Fife Arms Hotel is a Braemar landmark and is a category B listed building. The hotel accommodated the growing popularity of Braemar in the wake of Queen Victoria’s purchase of Balmoral, giving a regal air of luxury and romance to the property. There are plenty of rooms to choose from and each room tells us an individual story of Braemar. Why not treat yourself to the royal suite - this accommodation is perfect if you’re traversing the heights of Ben Macdui. Simply get the bus from Braemar to the mountain which is available in the summer months.
Braemar Lodge Hotel: With a choice of Lodge Rooms in the hotel or modern cabins or a bunkhouse for your whole party, Braemar Lodge Hotel will offer you the warmest of welcomes. It’s near the Lin O’ Dee so perfect if you’re eloping there and is nestled away nicely in the highlands in the midst of nature. It is a hotel of character and is of the highest standard. Also if you’re a nature lover then red deer can be seen strolling around the grounds… particularly in the winter months.
Now that you’re thinking about your elopement… why not have a think about planning a honeymoon adventure in Scotland… you could even tie it into your elopement celebrations.
Your Local Cairngorms National Park Elopement Photographers and Videographers
We are Aryan and Shay - your local Scotland elopement photographers and videographers (yes we shoot both!).
If you’re planning an elopement at Cairngorms National Park, we would love to be there to document your special day just as you imagine it so please feel free to explore our work and say hello if you love our style of work :)